United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the conviction after a jury trial of RAHMAD LASHAD GEDDES, a/k/a “Face,” a/k/a “Poo Poo,” 36, for trafficking an 18-year-old woman from Wisconsin to Duluth, Minn., for the purpose of commercial sex. On April 8, 2015, GEDDES was charged by indictment with one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, one count of transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, and one count of armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. Following a six-day trial, a jury found GEDDES guilty of all counts in the indictment.

As proven at trial, on January 6, 2014, GEDDES recruited the victim from her home in Eau Claire, Wis., for the purpose of trafficking her for commercial sex. The defendant and a friend took the victim to a motel in Duluth, Minn., where they took pictures of her to place an advertisement for commercial sex on backpage.com. GEDDES used an anonymous prepaid credit card to pay for the online advertisement. GEDDES and his friend used the victim’s cell phone to set up several “dates” between the victim and “johns.” On one occasion, after a meeting with a “john,” GEDDES accused the victim of hiding money. The defendant physically assaulted the victim and told her that he hit her because she did not do what she was told.

As proven at trial, on January 9, 2014, GEDDES traded drugs, which he referred to as “rocks,” for two semi-automatic handguns and ammunition. GEDDES has four previous felony convictions in Cook County, Ill., Hennepin County and Sherburne County, Minn., making him an armed career criminal under federal law.

As proven at trial, on January 14, 2014, GEDDES returned the victim to her home. She immediately reported to her pastor that she “had been used for prostitution.” This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Duluth Police Department and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Holets of the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case.